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The Jim Pepper Native Arts Festival
An annual festival honors this local Native American musician.
Sean Aaron Cruz 1000 Nations
Founded in 2013 to increase access to music education and honor this remarkable musician’s legacy, The Jim Pepper Native Arts Festival is held annually. The free event, which features daytime and evening festivities, celebrates Native American culture and Jim Pepper’s musical legacy. It is open to the public and takes place outdoors, with dancing, Native artists, food and cultural experiences. In the evening, the Jim Pepper Native Arts Council will be presenting more Native music with a Tribute to John Trudell held at the Alberta Abbey.
Who is Jim Pepper?
Jim Pepper (1941–1992), who was of Kaw/Creek heritage, grew up in Portland. His Kaw Indian name Hunga-che-ada translates to Flying Eagle. He became a tenor and soprano saxophone player, composer and bandleader of international significance, creating a unique, innovative body of work that continues to inspire and influence musicians and attract audiences across the United States, throughout Indian Country, and Europe.
His song “Witchi Tai To” is the only song based upon a Native American chant to break into the Top 40. He is one of the very few saxophonists in history to create an unmistakable original “sound” on the instrument. His compositions have drawn the interest of major composers the world over, including David Amram and Gunther Schuller, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Music.
Credit: Avie Schnieder
Jim Pepper’s tenor saxophone is in the permanent collection of the National Museum of the American Indian, and among his many honors are his induction into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame and the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.
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